Durban - KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature speaker Peggy Nkonyeni has been appointed as the MEC of education.

She was sworn in by KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Judge President Achmat Jappie at a brief ceremony in Durban on Monday.

She takes over from Senzo Mchunu, who was elected KwaZulu-Natal premier last month.

Mchunu said the legislature would elect a new speaker on Tuesday.

Nkonyeni, who trained as a secondary school teacher, served as health MEC from 2004 to 2009. - Sapa